Give your old skinny jeans a new look with these easy tips.
We all know how annoying a pair of stretch jeans can be – but aren’t they? The waistband suddenly felt less fitted, and the knees were wrinkled from sitting all day. Is it relevant?
But there is a solution. You can shrink your jeans. Yes, you read that right. Shrinking jeans are the new trend. These jeans are much tighter than regular jeans and fit better than skinny jeans. Their crotch area is located just above the waist line, making your legs, hips, and buttocks look slimmer. So, you must be wondering how to shrink jeans to make them fit perfectly? All you need is a bunch of simple tricks, right on your sleeve (we mean cuff). Explore these tips in this article and never let jeans bother you again.
- Ace shape
Fabric: Jeans made from natural fibers can be shrunk in these ways. Denim with loose tissue shrinks more easily than denim with tight tissue. - How to choose the right size: Try placing two fingers between your waistband and your belly before buying. If it fits, buy it that size.
- Washing tip: Wash jeans by hand with cold water and a little detergent. Use soap designed for wool to prevent stretching.
- How to Fold: Fold jeans and stack them in a cupboard instead of hanging them on a hanger to maintain their shape.
8 Best ways to shrink jeans easily:
1 Use dry ice
Seal the jeans in a plastic bag, then place them in another plastic bag and tie tightly. Put it in a large block of dry ice and let it sit for a few hours to shrink. Be careful though, as certain fabrics may harden or become damaged once the dry ice evaporates.
2. Use an iron
Shrink jeans by ironing them.
Wet any loose areas on the jeans with hot water. These could be the waistband, the thigh area, or the knee. Switch the iron to the cotton setting and press the wet area of the jeans. Make sure you don’t stay too long in one area. Put on the jeans once they are completely dry.
Remember to only wet the problem areas on the jeans, not soak them.
Hint: Do you know?
100% cotton jeans usually expand the most. Cotton has the natural property of expanding, but does not have the elasticity of contracting. Using these methods, denim with mixed fabrics has a better chance of shrinking.
3 Enter the bathroom
Getting in the tub shrinks your jeans.
Although this may seem a little uncomfortable, it works well. Fill the bathtub with hot water. Remember, don’t use soap. Put on your jeans and get in the tub. Wait until the water cools, then go out. Shake off the excess water and walk outside. You can also walk around, but make sure the jeans are completely dry so that they naturally fit your body shape.
But if the weather is cold, you can also hang your jeans outside after washing them. Then let them dry for the rest of the day.
YouTuber Danny shared his personal experience using the bathtub method to shrink jeans. He described the method, noting that “the temperature of the water is between lukewarm, not hot enough to make it uncomfortable to sit in and even difficult to enter.” He then went on to share his satisfaction with the results and said, “I can feel the difference and you can probably see the difference.”
Tips:
You can also put your wet jeans in the dryer as soon as you remove them. This may help increase the shrinkage rate.
4. Use a paddle to shrink jeans
Fill the sink with warm water and soak the jeans. When wet, remove the jeans and wring them out until wet. Then pat the entire fabric with a wooden paddle/spoon for about ten minutes and repeat on the other side. This method can help you shrink your jeans by increasing friction in certain areas.
5. Use freezing
Put the jeans in the refrigerator to shrink them. Put the jeans in the refrigerator overnight and take them out in the morning. In a day or two, your pants will shrink and be ready to wear. However, it is not recommended to use this method on cotton items, as this material can become stiff and uncomfortable after drying.
6. Throw them in the dryer
Throw the jeans in the dryer to shrink them
The technique is simple. Place the stretched jeans in the washing machine and set them on the hottest setting. When you’re done, put them in the dryer. Wait until they are completely dry. Your shrunk jeans are ready to use. However, if your jeans are made of delicate fabrics, be sure to be careful – try lowering the temperature of the washing machine appropriately.
7. Use the boiling method
Place the jeans in boiling water to shrink them. Fill a large saucepan or pot with water at 70 degrees. Keep in mind that very hot water can damage fabric. Now turn the jeans over and put them on the pan. Make sure the jeans are completely submerged. Since the water is very hot, you can use a spoon or ladle to press the jeans into the water. Leave for about 20 to 30 minutes. Avoid adding fabric softener to jeans, as it softens and relaxes the fibers. Stir the water once in a while. After that, you can drain and dry the jeans.
8. Try drying on a clothesline
If you want your jeans to shrink a bit, try drying them on a clothesline. Simply wash the jeans as usual and put them on the clothesline instead of throwing them in the dryer. The heat of the air and the sun will make them smaller. Keep in mind that not all jeans shrink in the same way, and this method may not work for all types of denim. So, if you want a little shrinkage, you can try drying on a clothesline! On the plus side, hanging clothes outdoors can avoid the wear and tear caused by tumble dryers, thus extending the service life of clothes.
These techniques have different effects on different types of materials.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how to shrink jeans. However, if you still feel loose despite following these tips, you may need to visit a nearby tailor shop for modifications. This is because the tips mentioned here can only provide a temporary solution at best. Visiting a professional can provide you with a permanent solution and also extend the life of your clothes.
Frequently asked questions
Do jeans shrink in cold water?
No. Since denim fibers do not break down by cold washing, the fabric may not shrink.
Will jeans shrink after the first wash?
Yes, denim may shrink by about 7% to 10% after the first wash. However, due to the reversal of the relaxation contraction, it returns to its original shape in about an hour.
Do jeans shrink or stretch over time?
The fabric of jeans changes and adjusts according to the wearer’s body. For this reason, jeans may shrink over time.
Key Takeaways
- Always choose the method according to the type of fabric. For example, the freezing method is not ideal for cotton jeans.
- You can buy cheap jeans first, try them on and practice.
- The easiest way to shrink jeans in winter is to leave them out on a cold night.
